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Be The Light Society (BTLS) Empowers South Asian Girls Across BC
Lighting a Path Forward: How a Group of Committed Women are Empowering the Next Generation of South Asian Girls in BC
On a crisp November evening in Vancouver, the Fairmont Pacific Rim buzzed with energy, laughter, and purpose. Over 200 South Asian women—from entrepreneurs and professionals to community leaders—filled the ballroom, not just to celebrate success, but to create it. The occasion? The 4th Annual Be the Light Society Gala, an event dedicated to one mission: empowering South Asian girls across British Columbia to reach their educational dreams.
For Be the Light Society (BTLS), a fully volunteer-run non-profit, this gala is more than an evening of glamour—it’s a launching pad for opportunity. This year, the society reached a remarkable milestone: twenty $2,500 scholarships will be awarded to South Asian high school girls in financial need in 2026. In just four years, BTLS has supported 62 young women, a growing testament to the power of community generosity.
“Seeing so many people come together to support these scholarships was incredibly inspiring,” says Karen Dosanjh, a Leadership and Advisory Board Member at BTLS. “Every donation is a vote of confidence in a young girl’s dreams. It sends a message: we see you, we believe in you, and your future matters.”
Opening Doors to Dreams
For many young women, these scholarships are more than financial aid—they’re a bridge to higher education and self-determination. Academic excellence matters, but BTLS looks beyond grades, valuing community involvement, resilience, and determination. Applications for the 2026 scholarships are now open, inviting South Asian girls graduating from BC high schools to step forward and claim this opportunity.
“Each scholarship represents more than money,” Dosanjh adds. “It’s a signal to these girls that their hard work is recognized, their dreams are valid, and they have a community cheering them on.”
A Community That Cares
BTLS was founded to inspire, empower, and elevate South Asian women and girls by fostering leadership, education, and connection. Beyond scholarships, the society hosts mentorship programs and professional development initiatives designed to nurture confidence, identity, and independence.
At the gala, the impact of this mission is tangible. Attendees share stories of past scholarship recipients who are now pursuing post-secondary education, launching careers, and contributing back to the community that supported them. For donors and volunteers, it’s a reminder that collective action can change lives—one scholarship, one young woman at a time.
As the evening drew to a close, the message was clear: empowering girls is not just an investment in individuals—it’s an investment in the future of an entire community. And with scholarship applications now open for 2026, another group of South Asian girls has the chance to turn ambition into achievement.
For more information and to apply, visit www.bethelightsociety.ca
